Is Florian Wirtz playing for Germany: Update on Liverpool star ahead of World Cup qualifier

Feargal Brennan

Is Florian Wirtz playing for Germany: Update on Liverpool star ahead of World Cup qualifier image

Germany are back in action with two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month.

Julian Nagelsmann's side host Luxembourg in Sinsheim on October 10 before a clash with Northern Ireland in Belfast three days later.

The four-time world champions are currently third in qualifying Group A, behind Northern Ireland on goal difference, and three points off leaders Slovakia.

That comes after an opening 2-0 qualifier defeat in Bratislava before cruising to a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in Cologne last month.

Naglesmann has freshened up his squad this time, amid injuries to Antonio Rudiger and Leroy Sane, but Liverpool star Florian Wirtz is included.

Wirtz completed 90 minutes against Slovakia and Northern Ireland, with a goal against the latter, but his early form on Merseyside has been mixed.

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The 22-year-old became the Reds first-ever £100m [$133m] player back in June as Arne Slot broke the Premier League for the first time this summer and then smashed it again with Alexander Isak's arrival.

Whilst Isak's low-key start can be in part explained by his lack of match sharpness, Wirtz's muted impact has led to calls for Slot to pull him out of the starting XI.

Will Wirtz play for Germany against Luxembourg?

Wirtz is a key part of Nagelsmann's plans with 90 minutes completed in Germany's last four games including their two summer UEFA Nations League clashes against Portugal and France.

He plays a tweaked role for Germany compared to his early days as a No.10 at Liverpool with Nagelsmann favouring him as a left-side narrow attacker in behind a main striker.

Florian Wirtz gestures during a Germany match

Nagelsmann has previously labelled Wirtz as Germany's 'most important attacking player' and that point has been reiterated by German FA (DFB) boss Andreas Rettig ahead of October's games.

"One thing is certain - Florian will make his mark at Liverpool."

Wirtz has no injury concerns and Nagelsmann looks ready to start him in both games.

Florian Wirtz's 2025/26 stats, goals, games played

Wirtz has featured in all seven of Liverpool's Premier League games so far, with five starts and two cameos off the bench, with two starts from two in the UEFA Champions League.

He's not completed 90 minutes so far in any competition as a Liverpool player, with 490 minutes in the league and 164 in Europe.

No goals or assists in the EPL or UCL is a concern with his assist for Hugo Ekitike in the FA Community Shield his sole goal involvement.

Despite waiting for a first goal at Liverpool, Isak has eight goals in 33 international appearances, all coming in the last 18 months.

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Feargal Brennan

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.